Hourly Rate for an LPN in Florida

Wantneko04 · May 16, 2011

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AngelicDarkness · May 16, 2011

WOW! This is scary to read. I make 19.50 /hr in Ontario, and I'm considered on the low scale as an RPN working in a Retirement home. I've heard of RPN's in bigger Ontario cities making up to 29$/hr. RN's anywhere from 24/hr to start up to 50/hr with experience.

NightNurse876 · May 16, 2011

Im FL the pay range is a bit wide. Some hospitals offer new grads 18/hr plus shift diff, some 25/hr + diff

Midwest4me · May 16, 2011

gettingbsn2msn said:
10.75/hr north florida. maybe 4.00-6.00 more at a nursing home dependent upon experience.

wow, that's pathetic....i live in a northwestern state(no, not california), my salary works out to be around $23/hr...

NightNurse876 · May 16, 2011

itsmejuli said:
I was a new grad LPN in Tampa Bay, I made $18 an hour with no benefits. New grad RNs are lucky to get $22 an hour.
I do agree that the cost of living is increasing in FL and wages certainly aren't keeping up. This has been a fact in FL for at least a decade.
BTW, I left FL in March. ?

where did you relocate to? was is hard finding work? Im in florida, west palm beach actually and not loving it!

needtoknowbasis · May 17, 2011

Most LPNs in south Florida where there are more retirees make, starting out, about 18 dollars an hour with lots of upward mobility on that. When I started out as a PRN LPN in an LTC/rehab facility here in south Florida, I started out at 18.50 an hour. I've been paid 22 an hour at other places as full-time staff and as low as ~17 an hour for full-time work. Right now I make about 19.50 base pay before shift differentials and overtime and weekend shift diffs kick in.

ANNG7 · May 17, 2011

needtoknowbasis said:
Most LPNs in south Florida where there are more retirees make, starting out, about 18 dollars an hour with lots of upward mobility on that. When I started out as a PRN LPN in an LTC/rehab facility here in south Florida, I started out at 18.50 an hour. I've been paid 22 an hour at other places as full-time staff and as low as ~17 an hour for full-time work. Right now I make about 19.50 base pay before shift differentials and overtime and weekend shift diffs kick in.

Well thank you that is good to know and definitely more encouraging for sure. On my personal opinion, I believe it's based on experience and how well you interview. I am a medical assistant for over four years and when I started out as a licensed massage therapist I got paid 14.90 hr full time based on my background experience. I reside in Central Florida, so I have faith that my hourly will be decent. Plus I don't plan on staying an LPN all my life. Thanks...

ANNG7 · May 17, 2011

needtoknowbasis said:
Most LPNs in south Florida where there are more retirees make, starting out, about 18 dollars an hour with lots of upward mobility on that. When I started out as a PRN LPN in an LTC/rehab facility here in south Florida, I started out at 18.50 an hour. I've been paid 22 an hour at other places as full-time staff and as low as ~17 an hour for full-time work. Right now I make about 19.50 base pay before shift differentials and overtime and weekend shift diffs kick in.

ANNG7 said:
Well thank you that is good to know and definitely more encouraging for sure. On my personal opinion, I believe it's based on experience and how well you interview. I am a medical assistant for over four years and when I started out as a licensed massage therapist I got paid 14.90 hr full time based on my background experience. I reside in Central Florida, so I have faith that my hourly will be decent. Plus I don't plan on staying an LPN all my life. Thanks...

Questions?? Is South Florida a nice place to raise children??? Is that pay more in South Florida than in Central? I'm curious!

Chin up · May 17, 2011

gettingbsn2msn said:
But what is the answer? I have been a RN for 3 years. I make 18/hour. I am also going back to school online. I have a BSN. The town I work in is small coastal. It is a county hospital. I am right now very worried. I cannot pay my bills. It costs 50.00 to fill my tank and I drive about 10 miles to work. I cannot afford to work here. I need at least 25/hour just to survive with current gas prices. I hear everyone say "but your rent is lower". No, is not. I still pay 700/mo. Utilities are still 100 plus. So, please someone tell me how I am coming out ahead because cost of living is lower. I do not believe it for one minute. BTW, my hospital states this all the time.

Thus makes me sick and it makes me sad. Our pay is not determined by the cost of our rent. You are not making professional wages and are letting them get away with this. How can you even afford school and what do you expect once you graduate, besides being in more debt, to student loans??? As you stated, it cost the same 50 dollars to fill up your car, as anywhere else. A BSN, should never make 18 dollars an hour, never mind one with 3 years experience. I don't care where you live and if your rent was 100/mo. I don't know other professions that would tolerate this, and sadder still, they aren't asked to. I am a LPN and will never dishonor you, by telling you what I make, but you would be shocked. Granted, I am experienced, but I never had loans to pay back...yes, I live in an expensive city...but I am still not an RN, never mind, a BSN and I live very comfortably. I believe I am paid what I am worth so I don't feel guilt, but, I know something is very wrong. Nurses need unions more now, than ever before. Unless, nurses wake up, stop taking crap and demand what they deserve, this will become the norm. I am sorry, but you should really consider organizing or moving to a place with prevailing, if not decent wages. This is pure disrespect. Peace!

Sister, this rant was not against you, I am with you. Peace!

magnum68 · May 17, 2011

ANNG7 said:
Questions?? Is South Florida a nice place to raise children??? Is that pay more in South Florida than in Central? I'm curious!

NO!!! South Florida is NOT a good place to raise children. I've been living in S. FL since 1992 and if you don't speak spanish then you will be treated like crap! The place is flooded with cubans that are rude and inconsiderate and do not want to learn English. If you don't speak spanish then they make you feel like an outsider. I can't wait to move out of here so that we can raise our son in a better environment.

ANNG7 · May 18, 2011

magnum68 said:
NO!!! South Florida is NOT a good place to raise children. I've been living in S. FL since 1992 and if you don't speak spanish then you will be treated like crap! The place is flooded with cubans that are rude and inconsiderate and do not want to learn English. If you don't speak spanish then they make you feel like an outsider. I can't wait to move out of here so that we can raise our son in a better environment.

Oh boyee I hear you! I guess Central Florida would be the best bet for my family and me. Thanks for the heads up. I'm just so disappointed with the pay scale the nurses receive but in all-:yeah:we do what we like and that is to help those that are ill.

needtoknowbasis · May 22, 2011

I was born and raised in south Florida and, just like anywhere else, it depends where you are. I live in Bradenton which is on the south side of Tampa Bay and directly north of Sarasota and I would say that it's not so horrible. Every city and town has its 'bad' areas and 'better' areas and I was fortunate enough to grow up in a more upper-middle class area and went to private schools my whole life.

I don't plan on being an LPN the rest of my life either, I'm currently in the ADN RN program at my community college and it's going swimmingly. From what I hear, new RNs at hospitals and other acute-care settings make about as much as I make now. I'm not sure what RNs start out at in LTC/rehab facilities though but I imagine it to be somewhere between 25 to 30 dollars an hour.